Only the housemaids were astir when Miss Muir left her room next morning

and quietly found her way into the garden. As she walked, apparently

intent upon the flowers, her quick eye scrutinized the fine old house

and its picturesque surroundings.

"Not bad," she said to herself, adding, as she passed into the adjoining

park, "but the other may be better, and I will have the best."

Walking rapidly, she came out at length upon the wide green lawn which

lay before the ancient hall where Sir John Coventry lived in solitary

splendor. A stately old place, rich in oaks, well-kept shrubberies, gay

gardens, sunny terraces, carved gables, spacious rooms, liveried

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servants, and every luxury befitting the ancestral home of a rich and

honorable race. Miss Muir's eyes brightened as she looked, her step grew

firmer, her carriage prouder, and a smile broke over her face; the smile

of one well pleased at the prospect of the success of some cherished

hope. Suddenly her whole air changed, she pushed back her hat, clasped

her hands loosely before her, and seemed absorbed in girlish admiration

of the fair scene that could not fail to charm any beauty-loving eye.

The cause of this rapid change soon appeared. A hale, handsome man,

between fifty and sixty, came through the little gate leading to the

park, and, seeing the young stranger, paused to examine her. He had only

time for a glance, however; she seemed conscious of his presence in a

moment, turned with a startled look, uttered an exclamation of surprise,

and looked as if hesitating whether to speak or run away. Gallant Sir

John took off his hat and said, with the old-fashioned courtesy which

became him well, "I beg your pardon for disturbing you, young lady.

Allow me to atone for it by inviting you to walk where you will, and

gather what flowers you like. I see you love them, so pray make free

with those about you."

With a charming air of maidenly timidity and artlessness, Miss Muir

replied, "Oh, thank you, sir! But it is I who should ask pardon for

trespassing. I never should have dared if I had not known that Sir John

was absent. I always wanted to see this fine old place, and ran over the

first thing, to satisfy myself."

"And are you satisfied?" he asked, with a smile.

"More than satisfied--I'm charmed; for it is the most beautiful spot I

ever saw, and I've seen many famous seats, both at home and abroad," she

answered enthusiastically.

"The Hall is much flattered, and so would its master be if he heard

you," began the gentleman, with an odd expression.

"I should not praise it to him--at least, not as freely as I have to

you, sir," said the girl, with eyes still turned away.




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